Science Into Practice - Timing sowing for snap peas

Pea breeders have introduced several new snap pea varieties to the industry. However, until now there has been no independent assessment or evaluation of these compared to existing standard varieties.

In this HDC-funded project FV 419, the Processors & Growers Research Organisation (PGRO), led by Steve Belcher, carried out trials on approximately 10 new varieties of hand-picked snap peas at the PGRO in Thornhaugh and commercial pea-growing sites.

These were compared against the commercial snap pea standard, Cascadia. Vining pea varieties Avola and Ambassador grown alongside were used to give a maturity comparison.

As well as looking at characteristics such as pea maturity, the ease with which peas can be picked, plant height, stringiness, pod finish and yield, the study also investigated the varieties' tolerance to herbicides and their resistance to downy and powdery mildew as well as leaf and pod spot.

All varieties were tolerant to the herbicide treatments following the first two assessments on 31 May and 19 June. There were two varieties, Delikett Quartz and Sapphire, that were susceptible to downy mildew. The individual variety results can be found on the HDC website (www.hdc.org.uk). Search for project FV 419 to find the report.

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